The World - News from Jan. 5, 1989

Soviet Foreign Ministry officials said they are considering major changes in issuing Soviet visas and passports and said it is time to stop considering emigrants as “unpatriotic.” However, their comments, made after a Moscow conference of consular officials, indicated it would still be some time before Soviet citizens could move freely within and beyond the country. Boris N. Chaplin, a deputy foreign minister, said possible changes include speedier issuance of visas to business executives, an end to a ban on dual citizenship and allowing Soviet republics to play a greater role in foreign consulates. Also being considered is a proposal to give Soviet citizens a five-year passport to replace the current system restricting people to a travel document for a specific journey.